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Now that Ramadan has entered its second week, I can't help but notice the countless ads and promotions of baju raya on TV, newspapers, magazines and Facebook. I notice that somehow the baju kurung has lost its originality and losing popularity as the baju raya. Facts that don't really sit well with me.
Back when I was young, the baju kurung was the only baju raya that I knew. Occassionally, baju kebaya was also worn as baju raya but in Johor we used to be proud of the traditional baju kurung. Johor takes pride in its baju kurung Teluk Belanga, its distinctive style is known from the cutting style at the neck. The Teluk Belanga style has no collar and the neckline is stitched in the style known as tulang belut ("eel's spines or bones"). My mom used to sew our baju kurungs herself. She would spend hours stitching the seams, as well as stitching the tulang belut, a skill which I unfortunately didn't inherit. Sigh. Nowadays, it is difficult to find tailors will…

We realize our dilemma goes deeper than shortage of time; it is basically a problem of priorities. We confess, we have left undone those things that ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.“ – Charles E. Hummel
Some time last year my BFF, Ann, shared with me some invaluable insights into leading a successful and meaningful life. A colleague of hers had done a mega-scale research on the secret of some really rich Muslims in Malaysia and beyond, and had learnt some really useful tips. She shared one of these tips with Ann, which was given by a very successful and rich female Muslim banker in Malaysia. Ann captured this tip in a pie chart, which can be seen below:

So basically, this pie chart describes the EIGHT things that one must allocate time to (sincerely and earnestly) in one's daily life:
1. God
2. Family
3. Work
4. Knowledge
5. Your interest
6. Charity
7. Recreation
8. You (as in having time to yourself)
As Ann went through each o…

1. I started writing my thesis. It’s not a very pleasant experience, time and again I find myself working religiously on it, motivated beyond words. But there are times I just stare at it so hard my heart burns. 2. I confronted my muse. Again. I’d had all kinds of questions at the back of my mind but chose to ignore them for fear that I might push him. Yes, I was that considerate. Until Facebook reared its ugly head. I guess it just boils down to the fact that when you found someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. I hope my muse understands this. 3. I cycled out. I used to cycle on Sundays, around my housing area. I got bored after a while. When an ex-student asked me to go on a bike ride in Putrajaya, I was ecstatic! We cycled for two hours up, down, and around the garden. It was F.U.N.! 4. I sat in the UM library for more than an hour. I’ve always dreaded the thought of having to work in the library but decided …